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A South Side man was found guilty yesterday of acting as a middleman in what prosecutors are
calling a murder-for-hire plot.

After three days of testimony, jurors deliberated for fewer than 90 minutes before finding Brad
Fickenworth, 27, of Obetz Road, guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been set for Fickenworth, who could be sent to prison for 11
years by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Patrick E. Sheeran.

Assistant Prosecutor Laurie Arsenault said Fickenworth facilitated a deal last year between Dan
W. Lytle and a third man to have Lytle’s ex-wife, Tammy L. Lytle, killed.

Defense attorney Sallynda Rothchild Dennison said evidence showed that Fickenworth participated
in a plan to damage or steal Tammy Lytle’s car, but “it was never his purpose that she be
killed."

Arsenault told the jury that Fickenworth’s purpose was clear when, in a phone call recorded by
police, he said, “Just walk up and slit the b----’s throat and you’ll get paid.”

“We’re not talking about a car,” Arsenault said. “We’re talking about a murder.”

The trial included testimony from Terry Webb, who said he was hired by Fickenworth to kill Tammy
Lytle. Webb, 53, said Fickenworth gave him two pictures of her and drove him to see where she lived
and worked.

Webb said he collected $3,500 from Fickenworth for the job but never carried it out. He informed
police of the conspiracy and was part of the recorded phone call with Fickenworth.

Fickenworth testified in his own defense, saying he originally arranged for Webb to prevent
Tammy Lytle from testifying in court against her ex-husband by having Webb steal her car.

“It just started escalating from there,” Fickenworth said.

Later, Dan Lytle and Webb changed the plan to murder Tammy Lytle, Fickenworth said. Fickenworth
admitted that he was a middleman but said that he backed out of that deal by asking Webb for the
money back.

Fickenworth declined a plea agreement from prosecutors that would have required him to testify
against Lytle, who has been indicted on charges that include conspiracy to commit aggravated
murder. His trial is set for July 8.